False lips - To false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do mischief.
Excellent speech - Discourse of high and excellent things.
A precious stone - Pleasant and acceptable; and withal dazzles his eyes. Whithersoever - To whomsoever it is presented. But this, as also many of her proverbs, are to be understood of most men, not of all.
Covereth - That conceals as far as he may, other mens faults.
Rebellion - Against God. Messenger - Or, a cruel angel, the angel of death, the devil, or some bloody men employed by God to avenge his quarrel.
Folly - In the heat of his lust or passion.
Letteth out - By cutting the bank of a river. Leave off - Avoid the occasions, and prevent the beginning of contention.
A price - Opportunities and abilities of getting it. No heart - Neither discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, nor any sincere desire to get it.
Was born - Was sent into the world for this, that he might comfort and relieve his brother in adversity.
Friend - Debtor, for whom being his friend, he becomes surety.
No good - Shall not get that advantage which he expects.
Doth good - Even to the body; it contributes much to bodily health and vigour. Drieth - Wastes the marrow of the bones, and the moisture and strength of the body.
In the face - His wisdom appears even in his looks. The eyes - Minding most, those things which are remotest from him, and least concern him.
To strike - Nor to smite magistrates, either with the hand or tongue, for the execution of justice.
Desire - Thro' desire of wisdom, a man having separated himself from the company, and noise, and business of the world, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom, uses all diligence, that he may search and find out all solid knowledge and true wisdom.
Understanding - In getting sound and saving, knowledge. The discovery - In uttering that folly and wickedness which is in his heart.
Cometh - Into any place or company. Contempt - He despiseth all instruction and reproof. Reproach - And he shews his contempt by ignominious and reproachful expressions.
A man's - A wise man's. As a brook - That wisdom which is in his heart is continually pouring forth wise and good counsels.
They go - They wound mortally.
Is brother - Though they take several paths, yet both come to one end.
The name - The Lord, as he hath revealed himself in his works, and in his word by his promises.
Sustain - Will easily support him under any outward troubles. Wounded - Dejected with the sense of its own guilt and misery.
Parteth - Gives to every one what is right or meet.
Satisfied - Wise discourses tend to the satisfaction of the speaker, as well as to the good of the hearers.
Death and life - Are brought upon men by, the good or bad use of their tongues. Lovest - That love much talking.
A wise - A good wife; one that deserves the name, and performs the duty of that relation. Favour - Obtains her not by his own diligence, but by God's good providence.
A man - Heb. A man of friends; who desires the friendship of others.
Hasteth - That rashly and headily rushes into actions.
Perverteth - Blasts his designs and enterprises. Fretteth - He ascribes his unhappiness not to his own sin, but to God and his providence.
A friend - in profession.
Brethren - His nearest relations. Hate - Despise and shun him. Pursueth - Earnestly imploring their pity.
Delight - To live in pleasure and outward glory, doth not become him, nor suit with him; because prosperity corrupts even wise men, and makes fools mad; and because it gives him more opportunity to discover his folly, and to do mischief both to himself and others.
Dropping - Are like rain continually dropping upon an house.
Casteth - Makes a man careless, and like one asleep in his business.
His ways - The commands of God.
While - Before custom in sin, and thy indulgence have made him incorrigible. Let not - Forbear not to give him due and necessary correction.
Great wrath - Of strong passions. Deliver - If thou forbear to punish him. Do it - Thou must deliver him again and again.
The desire - The hearty desire of being kind is accepted by God, and should be owned by men as a real kindness. A poor man - Who is not able to give what he desires to do. A liar - Than a rich man who feeds the poor with fair promises, but doth not perform what he pretends.
Satisfied - Shall be fully contented with God's favour and blessing.
Bring it - To feed himself; he expects that the meat should drop into his mouth.
Scorner - An obstinate and impudent transgressor. Simple - Who sin thro' ignorance, being possibly drawn to it by the scorner's evil counsel or example. Reprove - A verbal reproof will be more effectual for his reformation, than the severest punishments will be to a scorner.
Wasteth - His father's estate. Chaseth - Causes her to avoid his presence, and to go from the house where he is.
Scorneth - Hath no reverence to the place of justice, nor to the presence of God there. Devoureth - Utters it with greediness and delight.
Prepared - Although they be deferred for a time, yet they are treasured up for them.
A mocker - Wine immoderately drunk makes men mockers. Raging - Makes men full of rage.